Of all injured riders included in the study, 50- to 59-year-olds represented the fastest-growing group, while 20- to 29-year-olds were the most-rapidly declining.

"Treating a 60-year-old who has been in a motorcycle accident is very different from treating a 21-year-old who has been in a similar accident — 60-year-olds bring a lot more medical baggage with them, and this can adversely impact outcomes following injury," said Dr. Mark Gestring.

If an accident happens, he said, older riders "often pay a higher price than younger riders."